Irene J. Stoddard, 91, of Ontario passed away Saturday, March 27, 2010, at Norseland Nursing Home in Westby. She was born July 23, 1918, in the town of Whitestown, Vernon County, to Edwin and Selma (Allison) Olson.
Irene’s family moved to the Olson Homestead near Melvina, Wis., when she was age 1. She graduated from Melvina Grade School as valedictorian of her class. She then attended high school in Ontario, graduating in 1936 as valedictorian. Following high school, Irene worked for the Bank of Ontario as a cashier from 1937–1941. On June 12, 1940, she was united in marriage to Dunn Stoddard in Waukon, Iowa.
Irene and Dunn farmed near Ontario from 1940 until Dunn’s passing on Aug. 26, 1980. For a time in the 1960s, Dunn was employed by Kraemer Brothers, and Irene would cook in the cook shanty trailer that they would tow from job to job.
Irene was proud of her Norwegian heritage and traveled to Norway twice, where she visited her family’s homestead. She will be sadly missed by her family and friends.
She is survived by one daughter, Beth (Raymond) Melvin of Ontario; two grandsons, Michael (Deann) Melvin of Marshfield, Wis., and Gary (Tina) Melvin of Wisconsin Rapids; two great-grandchildren, Mallory and Andrew Melvin of Wisconsin Rapids; and one brother, Spencer Olson of Scottsdale, Ariz. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dunn; her parents, Edwin and Selma; one brother, Norman Olson; and one sister, Evelyn Williams.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 31, at Community Baptist Church in Ontario. Pastor Bruce Milleman will officiate. Burial will follow in the Hilltop Rest Cemetery, Ontario. Family and friends are invited for visitation from 5–7 p.m. Tuesday, March 30, at the Torkelson Funeral Home in Ontario, and from 10 a.m. until the time of service Wednesday at the church. The Torkelson Funeral Home in Ontario is assisting the family with arrangements. Memorials may be given to the Ontario Community Baptist Church, the Ontario Public Library, or a charity of one’s choice in memory of Irene. Online condolences may be offered at www.torkelsonfuneralhome.com.
